Multi-stage self-separating finishing machine



MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINISHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 3, 1961 G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR. 60/1/ THE/P 14 EAA'Z ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1963 3,073,080

MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINISHING MACHINE G. W. BALZ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1961 FIGURE 2 m m M 6U/V77 /ER W BALZ FIGURE 3 flTTUR/VEY MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINISHING MACHINE Filed 001;. 5. 1961 G. W. BALZ Jan. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 INVENIOR. GU/VTf/[A 14 54LZ ATTORNEY G. w. BALZ 3,073,080

MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINISHING MACHINE Jan. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1961 FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 INVENT OR. GU/VTfi/ER 14 5442 ATTORNEY 3,073,080 MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINKSHHNG MACHINE Gunther W. Balz, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Roto- Finish Company, Kalamazoo, MiclL, a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 142,768 17 Claims. (Cl. 51--163) The present invention relates to a finishing machine and is more particularly concerned with a finishing machine of the vibratory type in which unfinished parts are commingled with one of various types of finishing material in a first of a series of abrading compartments, vibrated until the parts are partially finished, automatically transferred in succession to the remaining abrading compartments of the series for further finishing, and then discharged from the last abrading compartment of the series.

Machines for finishing parts are well known. Recent- 1y certain types of multi-stage self-separating finishing machines have been developed, which machines not only reduce the labor involved in operation thereof, but also impart finishes to the surface of the part which are superior to the finishes obtainable by the prior art tumbling barrel abrading machines.

A particularly satisfactory multi-stage self-separating finishing machine is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 815,559, filed May 25,

1959. In general, however, all finishing machines heretofore available have left much to be desired since, if the unfinished parts required more than one type of finishing operation, it was necessary that they be transferred manually or with the assistance of conveyor means from one abrading machine to another. Using prior art finishing machines, such delay in transferring partially finished parts from one machine to another frequently exposes the parts to an atmosphere which can oxidize or deteriorate the surface of the parts before they are commingled with a different type of finishing material, even normally encountered atmospheres being deleterious in this respect. In some arrangements complex conveyor systems have been provided for transferring the partially finished parts from one finishing machine to another. As a matter of fact, a principal drawback of most finishing machines, even when several have been used adjacent to each other, has been the intricacy of transferring partsfrom the abrading or finishing compartment of one machine to another while at the same time avoiding the transfer of finishing material from one abrading compartment to the other. It would therefore be highly desirable to provide a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine which is capable of transferring partially finished parts directly from a first abrading compartment to succeeding abrad ing compartments, and of discharging the finished parts from the last compartment of the series, without employing intricate mechanisms and also without the transfer of finishing material from one abrading compartment to a succeeding abrading compartment of the series. The present invention is therefore primarily concerned with a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine by means of which parts can be automatically transferred from one of a series of abrading compartments to another, all of which compartments of the series may contain different types of finishing material, and then discharged from the last of the series of compartments.

By means of a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine according to the invention, it is possible to vibrate a mass of unfinished parts and abrasive material in a first stage for removing burrs and the like, then automatically transfer the parts to a succeeding stage containing less abrasive material for improving the surface United States Patent of the parts, and then automatically transfer the parts to a succeeding or last stage containing burnishing material for imparting a high grade finish or luster to the surface of the parts, whereafter the parts are discharged from the machine. This is in contrast to past practice, in which unfinished parts have seldom been abraded or finished with a plurality of media since the cost of labor involved in transferring parts through such a series of operations or from one machine to another was unjustifiable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine whereby parts or pieces to be finished may be successively agitated with a plurality of finishing media without removal from the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine in which parts may be automatically transferred from one abrading compartment to a succeeding abrading compartment. 1

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine by means of which partially finished parts may be transferred from an abrading compartment to a storage compartment, or vice versa, or from one abrading compartment to another, upon a single rotation of a housing in which the various compartments may be located.

Still another object of the present invention resides in a multi-stageself-separating finishing machine employ ing baffies whereby partially finished parts may be transferred from one abrading compartment to a succeeding abrading compartment of a series, while finishing material is separated from finished parts and returned to the same abrading compartment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine comprising a simple and compact unit.

Additional objects and adavntages will be apparent to one skilled in the art and still other advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a multi-stage selff separating finishing machine embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in FIGURE 1, inside of a sound insulating box with the front portion thereof removed;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken on line III III of FIGURE 2 to show in detail the internal construction of one section of the multi-stage housing in an abrading position with finishing material and unfinished parts in an abrading compartment;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on line IV-IV of FIGURE 2 to show in detail the internal construction of one section of the multi-stage housing rotated to a transfer position with the partially finished parts flowing toward a foraminous member for transfer to a succeeding compartment and finishing material flowing through the foraminous member into a storage compartment;

FIGURE 5' is a vertical section taken on line V-V of FIGURE 2 with the housing rotated to the transfer or discharge position showing the finished parts leaving the multi-stage housing and the finishing material enter ing the storage compartment;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken on line VIVI of FIG- URE 3 with portions cut away better to illustrate certain constructional details of the multi-stage housing assuming that FIGURE 3 shows the complete structure; and

FIGURE 7' is an isometric view of the foraminous members and transfer baffles disposed .inthe multistage housing shown in FIGURE '1.

General Description In general, thetmulti-stage self-separating finishing machineof the invention is provided with a housing comprising several sections and is capable of receiving different types of finishing material in each of the stages orsections of the .housing. An opening is provided in the first section of the housing for receiving unfinished, including partially finished, parts. Transfer bafiies are provided in each of the stages for transferring the partially finished parts from one stage to another and the last stage is provided with a discharge chute for discharging the parts from the housing. Each stage of the housing is also provided with an opening having a detachable closure member for inserting finishing material into each abrading compartment. In each section of the housing there is disposed a foraminous member for separating i-finishing material from partially finished or finished .parts. A storage chamber for storing the finishing material .is also provided in each section of the housing. One or more ducts are provided in each of the sections for transferring the contents from each of the storage compartments to the respective abrading compartments as the housing is rotated to the abrading position. A motor having a pair of eccentric members is secured to the housing for importing orbital vibrations thereto. In order to rotate the multi-stage housing from the abrading position to a transfer or discharge position, a rotary mechanism is employed. When the partially finished parts are transferred from the first stage to the second stage, additional unfinished parts can be inserted into the first stage.

Thus a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine has been provided for economically imparting in succession different types of finishes or polishes to the surface of the same part.

Specific Description Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, in which all the parts are numbered and in which the same numbers are used to refer to corresponding parts throughout.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine, generally indicated at 10, which comprises a multi-stage housing 11 in an abrading or loading position. In its preferred form the multi-stage housing 11 is generally elliptical or oval in shape. It must be understood, however, that it is unnecessary that the housing have a generally elliptical configuration. v For theqpurposes of supporting the housing 11 a frame 12 is provided comprising a base plate 13 and a pair of I-beams or rails 14 and 15 which are welded'to the base p1ate13 by suitable means. Vertical frame members or standards 16, 17, 18 and 19 are welded at their respective end portions 16a, 17a, 18a and 19a to the base plate 13. The end portions 16 and 17a of vertical frame members 16 and 17 respectively are also welded to rail 14 While end portions 18a and 19a of Vertical frame members 18 and .19 respectively are welded to rail 15. Similarly, vertical frame members or standards 20 and 21 have their end portions 20a and 21a respectively secured by welding or other suitable means to the base plate 13 and rails 14 and 15.

Cross members are then rigidly secured to the vertical frame members. More specifically, the lower cross member 22 is secured to the upper ends 16b and 18b of verbeams.

tical frame members 16 and 13 respectively and lower cross member 23 is secured to the upper ends 17b and 19b respectively of vertical frame members 17 and 19. Likewise, cross member 24 is secured to the upper ends 201; and 21b respectively of vertical frame members 20 and 21. Each of the vertical frame members and cross memhers is constructed by welding together two channel iron The securing together of the base plate 13, rails 14 and 15, vertical frame members 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, the lower cross members 22 and '23 and the cross member 24 by welding or other suitable means completes the stationary portion of the frame 12.

' In order to isolate the orbital vibrations of the housing 11 from the frame 12, a plurality of coiled helical springs 27. are disposed and equally spaced between-lower cross member 22 and an upper cross member 25 and between lower cross member 23 and an upper cross member 26 (see FIGURES 1 and 2). A plurality of cup-shaped members 28 are mounted and equally spaced along the top side 22c of cross member 22 and on the top side 236: of cross member 23. Similar cup-shaped members 29 are inverted and secured to the bottom side 25c of cross member 25 and to the bottom side 260 of cross member 26 and aligned with cup-shaped members 28 for supporting the coiled helical springs 27.

It is, however, unnecessary to employ coiled helical springs for isolating the vibrations of the housing from the frame as various other types of resilient members can be employed. As best seen in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings the housing '11 being resiliently supported by a plurality of coiled helical springs 27 is also thereby supported for substantial free movement in space.

The housing 11 is provided with a pair of cylindrical members 31 and 32 which are welded or secured by suit able means to side plates 61 and 62 respectively. For the purpose of angularly rotating the housing 11 on a horizontal axis a spindle 33 is rigidly secured to cylindrical member 31 and a spindle 34 is rigidly secured to cylindrical member 32. Spindle 33 is journaled in a bearing 35 which is inserted in a bearing support member 37 and spindle 34 is journaled in a bearing 36 which is inserted in a bearing support member 38. Bearing support members 37 and 38 are respectively rigidly secured by welding or other suitable means to the top portion 25d of cross member 25 and to the top portion 26d of cross member 26. It must be understood, however, that it is not necessary to employ spindles 33 and 34 for rotatably supporting the housing 11. A through shaft 39 as shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 may be employed in one form of the invention. I find advantage in using spindles 33 and 34 since no obstruction is created inside of the housing.

In order to isolate a rotary mechanism, generally designated as 40 in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, from the orbital vibrations of the housing 11, a flexible coupling 41 is disposed between spindle 33 and the rotary mechanism 40. The flexible coupling comprises a central member 42 of resilient material such as rubber or the like. Cylindrical end members 43a and 43b are secured to the central member 42 by 'vulcanizing. It is not necessary to have the central member 42 vulcanized to the inner side walls of cylindrical members 43a and 43b. The resilient central member 42 can be secured to cylindrical end members 43a and 43b frictionally by applying pressure against the resilient material.

A shaft 44 journaled in bearings 45 and 46 which are respectively mounted in bearing support members 47 and 48 has one end secured to the cylindrical end member 43a of flexible coupling 41. The bearing support members 47 and 48 are secured in spaced parallel relation ship on the top portion 24d of cross member 24. In the preferred form of the invention I find it advantageous to employ two bearing support members 47 and 48 instead of one in order to restrict the transversemotion of the shaft 44. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 the axis of shaft 44 is in alignment with the axis of spindles 33 and 34 or shaft.39. It is not necessary to have the axes in alignment since the flexible coupling 41 can be employed to a certain extent as a universal joint in case the axes of the shafts connected to the cylindrical end members of the flexible coupling are not in alignment.

As best illustrated in FIGURE 1 the housing 11 may be rotated from a loading or abrading position to a transfer or discharge position (see FIGURES 4 and 5) by energizing a pneumatic cylinder 49. The operating lines and controls for the cylinder are not shown since they are conventional. It must be understood, however, that it is not necessary that the means for rotating the housing from the abrading position to the discharge position comprise a pneumatic cylinder 49. Obviously, various other means such as a hydraulic cylinder, a power-driven winch, a geared motor, or the like may be employed for rotating the housing from the abrading position to the discharge position. vided with a lug 50 pivotally secured by a pin 51 to a side plate 52 which is secured by suitable means such as welding to the inside portion of vertical frame member 20. The other end of the cylinder 49 is provided with a piston rod 4911 having a lug 53 pivotally secured by a pin 54 to one end of a crank arm 55. The central portion of crank arm 55 extends through a slot 56 in the upper and lower channel portions 24a and 24b of cross member 24. The other end of crank arm 55 is disposed between bearing support members 47 and 4S and rigidly secured to the shaft 44 by a key 58 inserted in a slot of shaft 44. When the cylinder 49 is energized, there is some lost motion due to the resiliency of the flexible coupling 41. Any substantial longitudinal movement, however, of lug 53 with respect to the cylinder 49 exerts a rotary motion to shaft 44 stressing the central member 42 of flexible coupling 41 which in turn develops a torque and rotates spindle 33 and thereby rotates housing 11 to a discharge or transfer position. By reversing the operation of the cylinder, the housing can be rotated back to its original abrading or loading position.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the whole machine including the housing 11 and frame 12 is enclosed in a sound insulating box 59 having an opening for loading and unloading the machine. The box also confines the dust escaping from the housing during the abrading, finishing and/ or polishing operations.

The housing 11 which is divided into sections is provided with a semi-cylindrical rounded bottom 63, as best seen in FIGURES l and 6 of the drawings, defining the bottom of the abrading or finishing compartments 64a, 64b and 64c. Each compartment or chamber is adapted to receive finishing material and parts to be finished made of metal, plastic, wood or the like. A lower forward wall 65 extends upwardly from one end of the rounded bottom 63 and is an extension thereof and a lower rear wall 66 extends upwardly from the other end of the rounded bottom 63 and can be an extension thereof. The sides of rounded bottom 63, forward wall 65 and rear wall 66 extend longitudinally to side plates 61 and 62 and are secured thereto by welding or other suitable means.

The upper portion of the housing 11 is also provided with a semi-cylindrical rounded top 73 with its respective portions 73a, 73b and 730 defining the outer surface of storage compartments 74a, 74b and 74c. Each compartment or chamber is adapted to receive finishing material from its respective abrading compartment when th housing is rotated to the transfer position. A forward upper wall 75 extends from the rounded top and is an extension thereof, and an upper rear wall 76 extends from the other end of the rounded top an is an extension thereof. The sides of the rounded top 73, the forward wall 75 and the rear wall 76 extend longitudinally to the side plates 61 and 62 and are secured thereto by welding or the like. In order to inclose the front portion of housing 11, lower forward wall 65 and upper forward wall 75 One end of the cylinder 49 is proare extended toward each other and welded at their junc ture 80 (see FIGURES l and 2).

A plurality of partitions 71 and 72, as best seen in FIGURE 6, are disposed in the housing 11 for dividing it into three sections, shown in the figure as A, B and C. The partitions 71 and 72 prevent the finishing material and parts to be finished in one section from commingling with the finishing material and parts to be finished in another section. Section A is the first stage or section of the series and is defined by side plate 61, partition 72, rounded bottom 63a with forward and rear extensions a and 66a (see FIGURE 3) respectively, and rounded top 73a with forward and rear wall extensions 75a and 76a respectively. Section B is defined by partitions 71 and 72, rounded bottom 63b with forward and rear wall extensions 65b and 6612 (see FIGURE 4) respectively, and rounded top73b with forward and rear walls 75!) and 76b being extensions thereof. Section C is defined by partition 71 and side plate 62, rounded bottom 630 with for- Ward and rear wall extensions 65c and 660 (see FIGURE 5) respectively, and rounded top 73c with forward and rear walls 75c and 760 respectively.

In a preferred form of the invention, partitions 71 and 72 are disposed in the housing 11 for separating it into a series of sections or compartments. It is to be understood, however, that each section can be made up individually as a separate unit or housing and the units can then be secured together by welding or the like to form a multi-stage housing 11. The contiguous sides would then comprise one partition. Although a threestage housing is disclosed in the drawings, it is to be further understood that additional stages can be readily incorporated therein or attached thereto by one skilled in the art and that the number of stages employed in the multi-stage self-separating finishing machine depend upon the number of types of finishes which are desired to be imparted to unfinished parts before they are finished. The finishing material is generally indicated as in the drawings; however, a different type of finishing material is normally employed in each section of the device.

For the purpose of inspecting each of the sections A, B and C, inspection plates 85a, 85b and 85c, as clearly shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, are mounted to the housing which is provided with openings 86a, 86b and 860 respectively in sections A, B and C. Each inspection plate is provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving threaded lugs 87 secured by welding or the like to upper forward wall and lower forward wall 65. Nuts 88 are threaded on the lugs 87 and detachably secure each inspection plate to the housing.

Loading chute 67 is secured to the lower forward wall 65a (see FIGURE 3) which is provided with an opening adapted to receive finishing material and unfinishedparts. A discharge chute 77 (see FIGURE 5) is secured to the central rear portion of section C of the housing 11.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, an opening is provided in each of the central portions of rounded tops 73a, 73b and 73c for removing the finishing material from the storage compartments when the housing is rotated to the discharge position. Closure members 78a, 78b and 78c provided with foraminous central portions 79a, 79b and 790 respectively are mounted over each of the openings in the rounded tops for separating the fines, burrs, scraps and the like from the finishing material when the multi-stage housing 11 is in the transfer or discharge position as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

In order to separate the finishing material fromthe finished or semi-finished parts, a foraminous member is disposed between the abrading compartment and the finishing compartment in each of the sections or housings A, B and C. More specifically, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, foraminous member 8211 is mounted in section A, 82b in section B and 82c in section C. The front portions of each frame 83a, 83b and 830, respectively supporting the foraminous members 82a, 82b and 820, are

abraded Y provided with threaded lugs 84 which are inserted into apertures in the inspection plates 85a, 85b and 85c, and are secured thereto by threaded nuts 89 (see FIGURES 3, 4, and 6).

For the purpose of transferrin the semi-finished parts from section A to section B or from section B to section C when the housing is rotated to the transfer position, transfer bafiles 90a and 9011, as best seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 7, are mounted in sections A and B respectively. An opening 92 is provided in partition 72 for receiving the semi-finished parts as they flow down foraminous member 82a. Likewise, opening 93 is provided in partition 71 for receiving semi-finished parts as they flow down foraminous member 82b. A discharge baffle 100 is disposed in section C of multi-stage housing 11 and guides the finished parts as they flow down foraminous member 82c toward discharge chute 77. The rear portion of frame 83c (see FIGURE 5) which supports foraminous member 82c is provided with a threaded lug 10 2 welded thereto and inserted into an aperture in the bottom portion 77a of discharge chute 77 and fastened thereto with a threaded nut 103. The rear portions of frames 83a and 83b are inserted into slots formed in the lower portions of transfer bafiles 90a and 90b. Whenever it is necessary' to examine, clean or replace the foraminous members, this may be accomplished by removing nuts 88 and 89 securing inspection plates 85a, 85b and 85a to the housing 11. Frames 83a and 83b can then be removed. The frame 830 containing foraminous member 820 can be removed by unfastening additional threaded nut 103 securing the rear end of the frame 83c to the bottom portion 77a of the discharge baffle 77.

Aninduction motor or prime mover 95, as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, having a pair .of not shown conventional eccentric members secured to the rotary shaft is mounted by bolts 97 and nuts 98 to motor mounting bracket 99 welded to the outer rounded bottom 63 of housing 11 for imparting orbital vibrations thereto in various positions of rotation and also to the mass of unfinished parts and finishing material in each of the abrading compartments. The connections to the motor are not shown since they are conventional and well known in the art. It must be understood, however, that it is unnecessary that the motor be an induction motor. Obviously, the motor can beany type of electric motor or fluid motor, that is, any power means'which generates a vibratory motion, such as an electro-mech-anical vibrator, an air-driven motor, a liquid-driven motor, or the like.

In order to impart efficiently the orbital vibrations of the motor 95 to the housing 11, it is desirable to mount the motor with the rotor shaft axis in a longitudinal plane bisecting the abrading compartments and in spaced parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the abrading compartments.- Thus the distance between theshaft axis and the center of gravity of the mass of finishing material and unfinished parts in each abrading compartment is at a minimum. If the longitudinal plane bisecting the abrading compartment 64 is not in a vertical position when the housing is in the abrading position, then the motor 95 is preferably mounted to thehousing with the rotor shaft axis in substantial spaced parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the abrading compartment so that the mass of finishing material and unfinished parts still moves in an orbital manner.

While only one motor is shown mounted to the multistage housing 11, a motor can be mounted to each of the housings A, B and C of the series. If each of the housings or sections are rigidly secured to each other, the rotor shafts are preferably coupled together to synchronize the orbital vibrations of one motor to the other. When the motor shaft axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the maximum component of each vibration is directed transversely and imparts a preferable orbital motion thereto. Efiective vibratory motions are, however,

E imparted to the housing even if the motor shaft axis is somewhat askew to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

When the housing is rotated to the transfer or discharge position, the finishing material 70 and the partially finished part 69 in abrading compartment 64a of section A flow down lower rear Wall 66a toward foraminous member 82a. As the finishing material and partially finished parts gravitate down member 82a toward transfer baffle a with the assistance of the orbital vibrations of the motor, the finishing material falls through perforations or openings in the foraminous member 82a and the partially finished parts are directedby bafile 90a through opening 92 in partition 72 (see FIGURES 6 and 7). The partially finished parts after they are transferred from section A of the housing into section B of the housing drop upon a baflle 1811b and, after flowing down bafile 101b, are deposited into storage compartment 7412 (see FIGURE 4). At the same time the finishing material and the partially finished parts in abrading compartment 64b of section B fiow down lower rear wall 66]: toward foraminous member 82b. The parts are directed by transfer bafile 90b into opening 93 and eventually are deposited in storage chamber 740. The finishing material continues to fiow through foraminous member 82b and into the storage compartment 74b. In section C the finishing material and finished parts flow from abrading compartment 64c down lower rear wall 660 toward foraminous member 820. The finishing material flows through the openings in the fo raminous member 820 and the finished parts flow by gravity and by the orbital vibrations imparted to the housing by the motor toward discharge chute 77 and out of the multi-stage housing 11.

It is thus apparent that when the multi-stage housing 11 is rotated to the transfer or discharge position, the parts fiow from one section to another section of the housing and are discharged from the last section of the housing while the finishing material flows from the abrading compartment to the storage compartment in the same section.

Due to the relative sizes of the parts 69, the finishing material 70 and the perforations of the foraminous members, it is possible for the parts to be discharged too rapidly from the abrading compartments 64a, 64b and 640. When this occurs the parts are inadequately separated from the finishing material before they are transferred to another section or discharged from the last section and some of the finishing material may be transferred or discharged with the parts.

In order to direct and control the flow of parts 69 and finishing material 70 from the abrading compartments toward the forminous members 82a, 82b and 820, adjustable bafiies 112a, 11% and 1120, as best seen in FIG- URES 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, are secured to the rear walls 66a, 66b and 66c respectively by welding several threaded lugs 113 to each of the end portions of rear walls 66a, 66b and 660, inserting slots in each of the adjustable baffies and fastening each bafile thereto by nuts 114. Depending on the sizes of the parts 69, the finishing material and the foramina in foraminous members 82a, 82b and 820, the space or opening between the end of each of the adjustable baffles 112a, 2112b and 112s and the respective members can be regulated for properly controlling the flow of parts and finishing material. In this manner the adjustable baffles can control the surface area of each of the foraminous members exposed to the parts and finishing material as well as the rate at which parts are transferred or discharged from one section to another or out of the machine. Various other adjustable means can be incorporated into the housing for performing the same function. In a preferred form of the invention, I employ adjustable bafiles as illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, sincethey are economical to construct, require minimum maintenance, and can be readily adjusted or regulated from the outside of the housing 11 by loosening nuts 114 from the open rear thereof.

When all of the finishing material is transferred from each of the brading compartments of the respective storage compartments, and all of the parts are transferred to a succeeding section or discharged from the last section, means must be provided to insure that either finishing material or parts commingled with finishing material are efficiently transferred from a storage compartment to its respective abrading compartment when the housing is ro- 'tated back to the abrading position. To this end a duct is provided in each of the sections A, B and C of the housing 11 for transferring the contents to the respective abrading compartments. As is illustrated in and seen from FIGURES 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings, duct 115a is disposed in section A of the housing and transfers finishing material 70 from the storage compartment 74a to abrading compartment 64a by bypassing baffle 101a foraminous member 82a and adjustable bafile 112a. Duct 11517 is disposed in section B of the housing and transfers finishing material 70 and parts 69 from the storage compartment 74b to abrading compartment 64b by bypassing bafile 101b, foraminous member 82b and adjustable baflle 112b. Likewise, duct 1150 is disposed in section C of the housing 11 and transfers finishing material 70 and parts 69 from the storage compartment 740 to the abrading compartment 640 by bypassing the bafile 101a, foraminous member 82c and adjustable baffie 1120.

As described above, it is obvious that the baffles 101a, 101b and 101a disposed in each of the storage compartments of sections A, B and C of the housing 11 prevent the flow offinishing material and parts from being deposited against each of the foraminous members 82a, 82b and 82c when the housing 11 is rotated to the loading position. In order to prevent the finishing material and parts in each of the storage compartments from being lodged in the spaces defined by the inside rear wall of each storage compartment and the bottom side of each bafiie, suitable risers are provided therein for guiding the finishing material and parts from each storage compartment into its respective duct. As is clearly illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4, and 6, riser 116a is provided in storage compart ment 74a and is disposed in a corner defined by rear wall 76a, baffle 101a and a portion of partition 72. Riser 11611 is provided in storage compartment 74b and is disposed in a corner defined by rear wall 76b, baffie 101b and a portion of partition 71. Likewise, riser 1160 is provided in storage compartment 740 and is disposed in a corner defined by lower rear wall 760 bafile 1010 and a portion of side plate 62. The risers are disposed at such an angle that when the housing 11 is rotated to the loading or abrading position, the riser in each storage compartment will direct the finishing material and the parts therein into the respective duet communicating with each abrading compartment. As is best illustrated in FIGURES 3, 6 and 7, a suitable cut-out portion is. provided in each bafile, foraminous member, and adjustable baffie for the purpose of providing a passageway for receiving each duct.

With the foregoing arrangement, it will be apparent that a very simple and compact multi-stage self-separating finishing machine has been provided. As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, the parts are separated from one type of finishing material and almost immediately come in contact and commingle with another type of finishing material as soon as the housing is rotated to the transfer position. As a result of efiicient transfer of the parts from one section of the housing to another, the parts while in a partially finished or semifinished state are not exposed for any considerable period to an atmosphere which may oxidize or deteriorate the partial finish on the part.

Operation In operation, unfinished parts and finishing material are inserted into an opening in the housing by means of the 1'3- loading chute and deposited into the abrading compartment of the first housing of the series of housings when in the loading position. The opening through which parts are introduced may optionally be closed during subsequent operations. Other types of finishing material are inserted into each of the remaining housings of the series through openings covered by the inspection plates or through openings in the storage compartments. In a particular case, if any advantage is served thereby, parts may also be first inserted into a storage compartment. When the motor or motors are energized, a vibratory orbital motion is imparted to the mass of finishing material and unfinished parts in the abrading chambers of the series of housings. After a predetermined period has elapsed, and the partially finished parts are ready to be transferred into the second housing of the series, the rotary mechanism is automatically or manually energized for rotating the series of housings to the transfer position.

The finishing material then flows from the abrading compartment through the foraminous member and into the storage compartment of the same section while the semi-finished parts are separated from the finishing material by the foraminous member and flow toward the transfer chute which directs the semi-finished parts into the storage compartment of the second housing or section of the series. When all of the semi-finished parts have been transferred into the second housing of the series, the rotary mechanism is reversed to rotate the series of housings back to its loading or abrading position. For certain operating conditions, it may be preferable to modify slightly the rotary mechanism, the relative positions of components within the housing, and the connections of the motor for rotating the housing through one or more cycles in the same direction, that is, so that the housing can be rotated through a complete revolution when it is rotated from the abrading position to the discharge position and then back to the abrading position. The finishing material and the semi-finished parts in the storage compartment of the second housing of the series are then transferred by the duct to the abrading compartment of that housing.

An additional charge of unfinished parts is inserted into the loading chute and deposited into the abrading compartment of the first housing of the series. After another predetermined period has elapsed, the rotary mechanism is again energized for rotating the series of housings to the transfer position. The semi-finished parts in the abrading compartment of the first housing of the series are transferred to the storage compartment of the second housing of the series while the semi-finished parts in'the abrading compartment of the second housing ofthe series are transferred to the storage compartment of the third housing of the series. By thus repeating the cycle, the finished parts which are in the abrading compartment of the last housing of the series are directed toward the discharge chute and out of the series of housings or multistage housing.

An adjustable baffle is provided at the opening of each abrading compartment for directing and controlling the flow of finishing material and parts toward the foraminous member when the series of housings is rotated to the transfer or discharge position. Baflies are also employed in the storage compartments for the purpose of preventing the flow of finishing material from the first storage compartment of the series, and finishing material commingled with parts from the remaining storage compartments of the series, toward the respective foraminous members when the housings are rotated to the abrading position. Ducts are disposed in each housing of the series and form a passageway between each storage compartment and its respective abrading compartment and bypass the bafiles in the storage compartments, the foraminous members and the adjustable bafiles in the abrading compartments. As soon as the series of housings is rotated from ing machine has been provided for economically and automatically imparting in succession various finishes to 1 the surface of the same part and whereby all of the other objects of the invention are accomplished.

It is to be understood that the term finishing material is used generically to designate materials for imparting all types of finishes including those finishes acquired with abrading material as well as with polishing material and that polishing is as usual one species of finishing. Moreover, the term foraminous member as used herein denotes a member having openings or perforations for classification of parts and finishing material, for example, a grate or screen of any type, illustratively having wires or rods either parallel or at an angle to each other, whether or not reticulated.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

It is therefore desired and intended that the present embodiment herein specifically set forth be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and drawings to indicate the scope of the invention, which is to be understood as being limited only -by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multi-stage self-separating finishing machine com prising a series of housings secured together for rotation on a horizontal axis, a finishing compartment in each of said housings having an opening adapted to receive unfinished parts and finishing material, a storage compartment in each of said housings having an opening communicating with the respective finishing compartment of said housing and adapted to receive finishing material therefrom when said series of housings is rotated to a transfer position, a foraminous member disposed in each of said housings between the finishing compartment and its respective storage compartment for separating finishing material from parts, an adjustable baffie disposed in each of said finishingcompartments of said series of housings for directing the flow of parts and finishing material toward said foraminous member, a first means for transferring parts from the first housing to the second housing of the series when said series of housings is rotated to the transfer position, a second means for delivery of finishing material from saidstorage compartment in said first housing to said finishing compartment in said first housing of the series, a third means for delivery of parts and finishing material from said storage compartment in said second housing to said finishing compartment in said second housing of the series when said series of housings is rotated to an abrading position, discharge means communicating with the last housing of said series for'discharging finished parts therefrom when said series of housings is rotated to the transfer position, power means attached to said series of housings and adapted to impart vibratory motions thereto in at least one position of rotation, and means for rotating said series of housings to the transfer position and to the abrading position.

2. In a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine, the combination of a first and second housing mounted together for rotation on a horizontal axis, a first finishing compartment in said first housing having an opening adapted to receive unfinished parts and finishing material, a first storage compartment in said first housing partially opposed to said first finishing compartment and adapted to receive finishing material therefrom when said first abreast;

housing is rotated. to a transfer position, a second finishing compartment in said second housing, a second storage compartment in said second housing partially opposed to said second finishing compartment and adapted to receive finishing material therefrom and parts from said first finishing compartment, separating means disposed in each or said housings for separating finishing materials from parts, an adjustable baffie disposed in each of said housings for controlling the flow of finishing material and, parts toward said separating means, means for transferring parts from the first housing to the second housing, a duct bypassing said separating means and said adjustable bafile in each of said housings for delivery of finishing material from said first storage compartment to said first finishing compartment and finishing material and parts from said second storage compartment to said second finishin compartment when said housings are rotated to an abrading position, discharge means communicating with said second housing for discharging parts when said housing is rotated to the transfer position, power means mounted to said housings for imparting vibrations there to, and means for rotating said housings to the transfer position and to the abrading position. I

3. In a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine, the combination of a series of sections secured together for rotation on a horizontal axis, a finishing compartment in each of the sections of the series having an opening adapted to receive finishing material and parts to be finished, a storage compartment in each of the sections of the series at least partially opposed to each of said finishing compartments of the series and having an opening adapted to receive finishing material from its respective finishing compartment, a foraminous member disposed ineach of the sections of the series for separating finishing material from parts when said series of sections is rotated to a transfer position, an upended baffie secured to the end of each of said foraminous members for directing parts to the succeeding section and out of the last sectionof the series, a duct disposed in each of said sections forming a passageway connecting each of said storage compartments to its respective finishing compartment, said duct in said first section transferring finishing material and said ducts in said remaining sections transferring finishing material and parts to each of the respective finishing compartments when said series of sections is rotated from the transfer position to an abrading position, power means secured to said series of sections for imparting vibrations thereto in various positions of rotation, and means for rotating said series of sections to the transfer position and to the abrading position.

4. In a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine, the combination of a plurality of housings secured to gether for rotation on a horizontal axis, a finishing com partment and a storage compartment in each of said housings havingopenings adapted to receive finishing ma terial, a loading chute communicating with the first finish! ing compartment adapted to receive unfinished parts, a foraminous member disposed in each of said housings for separating finishing material from parts, adjustable means disposed in each of said finishing compartments of said housings for controlling the flow of finishing material and .parts toward said foraminous member, a transfer bafile provided in each of said housings for transferring parts from one housing to the succeeding housing and out of the last housing, a duct disposed in each of said housings forming a passageway between said storage compartment and said finishing compartment for transferring finishing material to the finishing compartment in the first housing and finishingmaterial and parts to the remainder of said finishing compartments in said plurality of housings, each of said ducts bypassing its respective foraminous member and adjustable means, power means secured to said plurality of housings for imparting vibrations thereto in various positions of rotation, and means for rotating said plurality of housings from one position to another.

5. A multi-stage self-separating finishing machine comprising a series of sections secured together for rotation on a horizontal axis and mounted for substantial free movement in space, a finishing compartment in each of said sections having an opening adapted to receive finishing material and parts to be finished, a storage compartment in each of said sections at least partiaily opposed to each of said finishing compartments and having an opening adapted to receive finishing material therefrom, means adapted to feed the parts from said first section to said second section when the series of sections is rotated to a transfer position, separating means disposed in each of said sections for separating finishing material from parts, means for transferring the finishing material from said storage compartment to said finishing compartment in each of said sections, discharge means for discharging the parts from the last section of the series, power means for imparting a vibratory motion to said series in at least one position of rotation, and means for rotating said series of sections to the transfer position and to an abrading position.

6. A multi-stage self-separating finishing machine comprising a series of housings secured together for rotation on a horizontal axis and mounted for substantial free movement in space, a finishing compartment in each of said housings having an opening adapted to receive finishing material and parts to be finished, a storage compartment in each of said housings communicating with its respective finishing compartment for receiving finishing material when said series of housings is rotated to a transfer position, a first means provided in each housing for separating finishing material from parts, a second means disposed in the first housing for feeding the parts from the first housing to the second housing of the series, a duct mounted in each of said housings forming a passageway connecting each of said finishing compartments to its respective storage compartment, discharge means for discharging the parts from the last housing of the series, power means for imparting a vibratory motion to said series of housings, and means for rotating said series of housings to various positions of rotation.

7. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 2, wherein a batfie is interposed between said separating means and said storage compartment in each of said housings for preventing the flow of finishing material toward said separating means when said housings are rotated from the transfer position to the abrading position.

8. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 5, wherein a baffle is interposed between said separating means and said storage compartment in each of said sections for preventing the flow of finishing material toward said separating means when said sections are rotated from the transfer position to the abrading position.

9. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 6, wherein said second means comprises an up ended baffie secured to said first means and communicating with an opening in said housing for transferring parts to the succeeding housing.

10. The multistage self-separating finishing machine of claim 1, wherein said first means comprises an upended baffle in each of said housings secured to said foraminous member and communicating with an opening provided in each of said housings for transferring parts to the succeeding housing and out of the last housing.

11. A multi-stage self-separating finishing device comprising a finishing compartment and a storage compartment attached to and communicating with each other and mounted for substantial free movement in space and rotatable as a unit, said unit having an abrading position and a transfer position, a foraminous member disposed between adjacent openings in said finishing compartment and said storage compartment for separating finishing material from parts, at least one partition disposed in each of said finishing and storage compartments for division thereof into sections, means for transferring parts from one section of said finishing compartment to a succeeding section of said finishing compartment by rotation of the compartments, means for transfer of finishing material from each storage compartment section to its respective finishing compartment section upon rotation of the compartments, power means for imparting a vibratory motion to said finishing compartment in at least the abrading position of rotation, and means for rotating said compartments to the transfer position and to the abrading position.

12. The 'multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 11, wherein various sections of the storage compartment are connected to various sections of the abrading compartment by ducts which bypass said foraminous members.

13. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 11, including means disposed between said foraminous member and said storage compartment for preventing return of finishing material through said foraminous member.

14. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 11, wherein adjustable means is disposed between the opening of said finishing compartment and said toraminous member for altering the opening therebetween.

15. In a multi-stage self-separating finishing machine including a series of sections secured together and mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, each section having a finishing compartment and a storage compartment, power means for imparting vibratory motion to said series of sections in various positions of rotation, and means for rotating said series of sections to a transfer position and to an abrading position, the combination of a foraminous member disposed in each of said sections of the series for separating finishing material from parts, a baffle disposed in each of said storage compartments of the series for preventing the return of finishing material through said member, a duct disposed in said first section of the series for returning finishing material from said storage compartment to said finishing compartment thereof, a duct disposed in each of said remaining sections of the series for returning finishing material and parts from each storage compartment to its respective finishing compartment, a bafiie mounted to each of said members and communicating with an opening for transferring parts from the finishing compartment of one section to the storage compartment of the succeeding section and out of the last section.

16. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 15, wherein adjustable means is disposed between an opening of said finishing compartment and said member of each section of the series for altering the opening therebetween and controlling the flow of finishing material and parts toward said member when said series of sections is rotated to the transfer position.

17. The multi-stage self-separating finishing machine of claim 16, wherein said adjustable means comprises a moveable bafiie secured to a wall of each of said finishing compartments of the series.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,803 Benson June 15, 1880 1,048,026 Bates et al. Dec. 24, 1912 2,138,550 MacLellan Nov. 29, 1938 2,143,610 Muller et al. Jan. 10, 1939 2,290,036 Davis July 14, 1942 2,319,391 Davis May 18, 1943 2,359,944 Schummer Oct. 10, 1944 2,519,060 Manley Aug. 15, 1950 2,843,979 Lupo July 22, 1958 2,918,926 Behnke et a1. Dec. 29, 1959 2,997,814 Brandt Aug. 29, 1961 

1. A MULTI-STAGE SELF-SEPARATING FINISHING MACHINE COMPRISING A SERIES OF HOUSINGS SECURED TOGETHER FOR ROTATION ON A HORIZONTAL AXIS, A FINISHING COMPARTMENT IN EACH OF SAID HOUSINGS HAVING AN OPENING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE UNFINISHED PARTS AND FINISHING MATERIAL, A STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN EACH OF SAID HOUSINGS HAVING AN OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH THE RESPECTIVE FINISHING COMPARTMENT OF SAID HOUSING AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FINISHING MATERIAL THEREFROM WHEN SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS IS ROTATED TO A TRANSFER POSITION, A FORAMINOUS MEMBER DISPOSED IN EACH OF SAID HOUSINGS BETWEEN THE FINISHING COMPARTMENT AND ITS RESPECTIVE STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR SEPARATING FINISHING MATERIAL FROM PARTS, AN ADJUSTABLE BAFFLE DISPOSED IN EACH OF SAID FINISHING COMPARTMENTS OF SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS FOR DIRECTING THE FLOW OF PARTS AND FINISHING MATERIAL TOWARD SAID FORAMINOUS MEMBER, A FIRST MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING PARTS FROM THE FIRST HOUSING TO THE SECOND HOUSING OF THE SERIES WHEN SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS IS ROTATED TO THE TRANSFER POSITION, A SECOND MEANS FOR DELIVERY OF FINISHING MATERIAL FROM SAID STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN SAID FIRST HOUSING TO SAID FINISHING COMPARTMENT IN SAID FIRST HOUSING OF THE SERIES, A THIRD MEANS FOR DELIVERY OF PARTS AND FINISHING MATERIAL FROM SAID STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN SAID SECOND HOUSING TO SAID FINISHING COMPARTMENT IN SAID SECOND HOUSING OF THE SERIES WHEN SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS IS ROTATED TO AN ABRADING POSITION, DISCHARGE MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH THE LAST HOUSING OF SAID SERIES FOR DISCHARGING FINISHED PARTS THEREFROM WHEN SAID SERIES OF HOUSING IS ROTATED TO THE TRANSFER POSITION, POWER MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS AND ADAPTED TO IMPART VIBRATORY MOTIONS THERETO IN AT LEAST ONE POSITION OF ROTATION, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SERIES OF HOUSINGS TO THE TRANSFER POSITION AND TO THE ABRADING POSITION. 